Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-18

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The graph below shows average carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 6.0)

The line graph gives information about the average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal from 1967 to 2007. Units are measured in metric tonnes.

Overall, the average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions  of the taly and Portugal showed a steady but significant rise over the period, while the percentage of  carbon dioxide (CO2) in the United Kingdom experienced a downward trend.

To begin with, regarding United Kingdom, the carbon dioxide emissions stayed around at 11 metric tonnes in 1967. After the next 20 years, emmisions declined slightly to approximately 10 metric tonnes in 1987. Over the following 20 years, emmisions decreased modestly to nearly 9 metric tonnes in 2007. Moving on to Sweden, carbon dioxide emissions stayed at around 8.6 metric tonnes in 1967. Over the next 10 years, emmisions rocketed sharply around to 10.3 metric tonnes in 1977. After that, emmisions dropped dramatically approximately to 7 metric tonnes in 1987. After the next 20 years, emessions dipped modestly to 5.3 metric tonnes in 2007.

Moving on to Italy, carbon dioxide emissions stayed at around 4.2 metric tonnes in 1967. Over the next 30 years, emissions increased steadily to reach around 7.8 metric tonnes in 1997. After that, the emissions remained stable at roughly 7.8 metric tonnes up to 2007. Finally, regarding Portugal, carbon dioxide emissions stayed at a low level of around 1.2 metric tonnes in 1967. Over the next 30 years, emissions grew continuously to reach approximately 5.3 metric tonnes in 1997. After that, the emissions leveled off and reached around 5.5 metric tonnes by 2007.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.5

The student successfully addresses all parts of the task by reporting the main features and making relevant comparisons across the four countries over the 40-year period. An appropriate overview is provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the contrasting downward trend in the UK versus the upward trends in Italy and Portugal, though Sweden's fluctuating pattern is omitted from the overview. Key data points and trends are accurately reported, such as the UK starting at around 10.8 metric tonnes and falling to 8.7, and Portugal rising from 1.2 to 5.4. The response meets all requirements for Task Achievement at a Band 7.0 level.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response has a clear logical organization and progression throughout. Information is grouped logically by country in the body paragraphs, starting with the UK and Sweden, followed by Italy and Portugal. Cohesive devices such as "To begin with", "Moving on to", and "After that" are used effectively to guide the reader through the data, although some transitions feel slightly formulaic. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate the introduction, overview, and individual country trends. Overall, the writing is coherent and easy to follow, aligning well with the Band 7 descriptors.

Lexical Resource — Band 5.5

The student demonstrates an adequate range of vocabulary for the task, successfully incorporating terms related to graphical data such as "steady but significant rise", "downward trend", "rocketed sharply", and "leveled off". However, there are a few lexical and typographical errors, such as "taly" instead of Italy and repeated spelling errors like "emmisions". Less common lexical items are attempted with reasonable success, but occasional slips in word choice prevent the score from reaching a higher band. The vocabulary is generally sufficient to convey meaning clearly.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.0

The writer uses a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, incorporating subordinate clauses and prepositional phrases (e.g., "while the percentage of carbon dioxide in the United Kingdom experienced a downward trend"). There are frequent error-free sentences, demonstrating good control over basic grammar and tense usage when describing past trends. However, some minor grammatical inaccuracies and awkward phrasings occur, such as "stayed around at 11 metric tonnes" and "rocket sharply around to". Punctuation is generally accurate, supporting readability. These characteristics place the response firmly in the Band 6.5 to 7.0 range.

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